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Tour Itineraries

 

Fall 2011 Tours

 

 

Main Tour Includes
MOUNTAINS, PLAINS &

YSS CONVOCATION

41 days (or any portion of it)

October 10th thru November 19th

Depart from USA

October 10th

 

Delhi
October 12th & 13

Corbett National Animal Preserve
Oct. 3rd & 4th

Y.S.S. Dwarahat Ashram & Babaji's Cave
Oct. 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Pipal Koti
Oct. 9th

Badrinath
Oct. 10th & 11th

Rudraprayag
Oct. 12th

Beautiful Beach Camp along the Sacred Ganges
Oct. 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th

The holy cities of Rishikesh & Haridwar
Oct. 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th

Puri
Oct. 22nd, 23rd, 24th

Kolkata & Y.S.S. Dakshineswar Ashram
Oct. 25th, 26th, 27th 28th

Banaras (Varanasi) the city of Lord Shiva
Oct. 29th, 30th, 31st, Nov. 1st

Delhi
Nov. 2nd

Agra (the Taj Mahal)
Nov. 3rd

Brindaban & Mathura (the boyhood home and birthplace of Lord Krishna
Nov. 4th

Ranchi
Nov. 5th, thru Nov. 13th

Arrive USA
Nov. 14th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Tour Includes
MOUNTAINS & KOLKATA

21 days (or any portion of it)

October 10th thru October 31st

Depart from USA on October 10th
Arrive New Delhi October 21st
Join Main Tour from October 22nd until November 14th:

Puri
Oct. 22nd, 23rd, 24th

Kolkata & Y.S.S. Dakshineswar Ashram
Oct. 25th, 26th, 27th 28th

Banaras (Varanasi) the city of Lord Shiva
Oct. 29th, 30th, 31st, Nov. 1st

Delhi
Nov. 2nd

Agra (the Taj Mahal)
Nov. 3rd

Brindaban & Mathura (the boyhood home and birthplace of Lord Krishna
Nov. 4th

Ranchi
Nov. 5th, thru Nov. 13th

Arrive USA
Nov. 14th

 

 

 

The following is the itinerary from 2010, to show how a typical tour flows.

It will vary each year.

You may make your trip as many days as you are able to get away. Review the itinerary above, decide where and when you would like to join us and depart, then contact Craig for a quote on the cost for that portion only.

 

 

The Long Mountain Portion of the 2010 Tour:


DAY 01: Depart USA.

DAY 02: Arrive in New Delhi, India. Transfer to YSS Noida retreat. Overnight.

Day 03: Enjoy retreat and ashram life. Overnight.

DAY 04 - New Delhi: After breakfast, we will visit the magnificent Akshardham Temple and see the beautiful movie 'Mystic India'. That evening attend the YSS Delhi Center for Lahiri's Mahasamadhi Service.

Day 05 - Corbett Park: Arrive Kathgodham train station and transfer to the Wild Animal Preserve of Corbett Park. We will be staying at the beautiful Tarangi Resort. This is an amazing place, with exquisite riverside accommodations. Swim in the Kosi River or lovely pool. Enjoy massage, yoga or just relax. In the afternoon, take an elephant ride into the jungle looking for the elusive Bengal tiger or just enjoy the spectacular setting. We will continue to have our group meditations and chanting.

DAY 06: This morning we will take jeeps into the main preserve. You will see flora and fauna native to this area of India. On previous rides in the jungle, we have seen sambar deer, peacocks, wild boar, pythons, monitor lizards, alligators, wild elephants, a king cobra and an occasional tiger. Return to resort for meditation and dinner. Overnight.

Day 07 - YSS Dwarahat Ashram: Today we will drive through the Himalayan foothills to our YSS Dwarahat Ashram. After some chai, enjoy group energization and meditation in this magical place, where Babaji’s presence is so powerful. Overnight.

Day 08: Enjoy the peace and serenity of the ashram grounds or take short walks through the beautiful hills. After the evening meditation, enjoy the nightly satsanga with Swami Nirvananandaji. Overnight.

Enjoy a ride on an elephant as you watch for tigers and other wild animals in Corbett Park Deoprag is where the Ganga begins to be called by that nameYour Tents at Ganga Camp (on the right)

Badrinath with Snow Covered HimalayasThe temples at Dwarahut Ashram

 

DAY 09: After meditation and breakfast, we will make our sacred pilgrimage to Babaji’s cave in the beautiful foothills of Drona Giri. This is where the sacred path of Kriya Yoga all began. After a blissful day, we will return to the ashram for group meditation and chanting.

Day 10: This day is free to enjoy the ashram grounds or visit Ranikhet where Lahiri Mahashaya was stationed. He spent his free time wandering the surrounding foothills before his meeting with Babaji. Overnight.

Day 11 - Pipal Koti: After breakfast take a long scenic drive to Pipal Koti as we climb higher into the Himalayas. Overnight.

Day 12 - Badrinath: Morning drive up the beautiful Himalayas to Badrinath or Badrinarayan. In the Autobiography, Paramahansa Yogananda mentions that this is the current abode of our great guru Mahavatar Babaji. We will enjoy two lovely days here, visiting the holy temple and caves of this area. We will check into our lovely mountain hotel. Overnight.

Day 13: Day free in Badrinath to explore the ancient village of Mana, the last outpost before Tibet. Take a pilgrimage to Vaiyasa's Cave which is over 5000 years old, dating from the time of the Pandava Brothers. Overnight.

Day 14: After our wonderful stay in the holy pilgrimage site of Badrinath, we will drive to Rudraprayag for rest and relaxation. Overnight.

DAY 15 - River Camp: Drive along Ganges to our beautiful river camp. Overnight..

Days 16 & 17: This beautiful camp is secluded but is very comfortable. It is great for just plain relaxing, kicking back and being pampered. We will have daily group energization and meditation. Every night we will have chanting under the stars or just sip a hot cup chai after our delicious dinner. For the more adventurous, we offer river rafting, kayaking and trekking as some of your options. Overnight.

DAY 18 - Rishikesh: Today we will drive down the river to the cave of Vashishta Muni, the guru of Sri Ram. After meditating in the cave, we will go down by the river to the Christ Cave. This is where Jesus appeared to Papa Ram Das. Holy vibrations permeate these sacred places. Then we will drive to Rishikesh to spend the next four days. Overnight.

DAY 19: We will start our day with group meditation and chanting. The morning will be free to explore this ancient city, shop, or just relax. In the afternoon, we will walk across the suspension bridge to attend an enchanting evening arati at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Here we will enjoy kirtan and worship of Mother Ganga under the stars. Return to our hotel. Overnight.

DAY 20: After group meditation and breakfast, the morning will be free. Later that afternoon we will drive to the city of Dehradhun to visit the bedroom where Sri Anandamoya Ma left her body. Return to Rishikesh. Overnight.

DAY 21: After group energization and meditation, we will cross the river and take a scenic walk up the ancient path where pilgrims and sadhus have journeyed on their way to the high Himalayan shrines. We will return to our guest house for lunch, relaxation and evening group meditation. Overnight.

DAY 22 - Haridwar: Drive one hour to the holy city of Haridwar. Visit Keshavanda's Ashram. After lunch we will explore this ancient city before our afternoon visit to Shree Anandamoya Ma's Ashram and Samadhi Shrine. Enjoy evening arati on the banks of the Ganga. Transfer to train station to take overnight train to Delhi.

This concludes the Mountain Portion.
Those returning home will go back to Delhi. In the evening of the 18th you will transfer to the International airport for your return flight to America, arriving home on Oct 19th. If you are arranging your own international flight, please book yours accordingly.

 

 

Plains Portion of the 2010 Tour:

 

 Sri Yukteshwar's Balcony, SerampurDakshineswar Kali Temple, where Master saw Mother Kali
The Visvanath Temple is the main temple in Varanasi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.Shrine to Sri Yukeshwar in PuriMeditate in Master's Attic Room where He Spent Many Hours Meditating
 We spend a good amount of time on the beach in Puri Jaganath Temple in Puri

 


DAY 23 - Delhi to Vrindaban: Morning arrival Delhi. Transfer by A/C Coach to the holy city of Vrindavan, the boyhood home of Lord Krishna. Enjoy the ambiance of this amazing town. You can almost feel the Divine Cowherd dancing with his Gopis along the sacred Jamuna river. Visit the incredible ISHKON temple and melt into the devotees’ devotion to Radha and Krishna. In this town 'Spirit and Nature' truly dance together. Overnight.

DAY 24 - Taj Mahal: Early morning visit to the city of Agra to visit the incredible monument to love, 'the Taj Mahal'. Return to hotel and take a pilgrimage to the jail cell where Lord Krishna was born. Take an afternoon and evening boat ride on the sacred Jamuna river. Overnight.

DAY 25 - Delhi to Puri: Take early morning drive back to Delhi. Enjoy breakfast along the way. Reach Delhi in time to catch flight to Bhuvaneshwar. This sacred city is known for its ancient temples and caves. Take an afternoon drive to the city of Puri on the Bay of Bengal. Transfer to our beautiful seaside hotel. Day free for enjoying resort grounds. Overnight.

DAY 26: After group meditation, enjoy a scrumptious breakfast on the veranda and in the afternoon visit Sri Yukteshwar's Puri Ashram and the famous Jaganath Temple, where, it is said that Lord Jesus spent some of his missing years before returning to Palestine. Overnight.

DAY 27: Visit the YSS Kendra of Puri and have group meditation. Day free for just relaxing and enjoying the Bay of Bengal. Swim in our beautiful pool, get a massage or just relax. Overnight.

DAY 28: Enjoy group meditations and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the town or just enjoy resort. Board evening overnight train to Kolkata. Overnight aboard train.

DAY 29 - Kolkata (Calcutta): Arrive Kolkata and transfer to the YSS Dakshineswar Ashram. In the late morning, we will take a short walk to the famous Kali Temsple mentioned in the Autobiography of a Yogi. This is where Mother Kali appeared to Guruji. We will then visit Ramakrishna's room, a great place to meditate. In the afternoon return to the ashram for group meditation and dinner. Overnight ashram.

DAY 30: We have a very full day. During this day we will visit Mother Teresa’s home and charity where her body lies and then drive to Master’s first meditation hall. This is where Guruji danced in ecstasy. Next door is the home of Tulsi Bose, the boyhood friend of Yogananda’s. After a short visit, we will walk around the corner to the Shrine of the Levitating Saint, mentioned in the Autobiography of a Yogi. The highlight of the day is our visit to Guruji’s boyhood home (4 Garpar Road) and meditate in the sacred attic, where he found God. Evening Celebration of Diwali and Kali Puja. Overnight ashram.

DAY 31: Immediately after breakfast, we will take a beautiful, scenic boat ride up the Ganges to Serampore. Here we will stroll down Rai Ghat Lane, the same walk taken by Master and Sri Yukteswar each morning to take their dip in the Ganges. At this ghat (bathing place), Mahavatar Babaji appeared under the banyan tree to Sri Yukteswar, after the completion of his Holy Science. We will chant and meditate at Sri Yukteswar's ashram and visit his family home. Then we will walk a short distance to Ananda Lok, where Guruji lived while attending Serampore College. Overnight ashram.

DAY 32: Today is free to enjoy the ashram and attend group meditations and classes. Overnight ashram.

DAY 33 - Varanasi (Banares): Take early morning flight to the Holy City of Banaras (Varanasi). Met and transferred to hotel on the banks of the Ganges. Enjoy dinner under the stars on the banks of the holy Ganges. Overnight.

DAY 34: Varanasi is considered the city of Lord Shiva, king of all yogis. We will rise at dawn and take an early morning boat ride on the holy Ganges. As the morning sun rises over this holy river, you will hear the ancient sounds of priests performing their pujas and rituals. The sound of bells and conch shells waft through the air in the distance, beckoning your soul to join in the worship of the Lord. We will stop at Hanuman bathing ghat for those who would like to take their holy dip in the Ganges. For many, the dip in this sacred river is a highlight. When you feel the magic of these sacred waters, you will then know why it is worshiped as a form of Divine Mother each night. We will return to the hotel for breakfast and later visit Lahiri Mahashayas home and Satya Lok. Overnight.

DAY 35: After breakfast, we will take a short drive to Sarnath and Deer Park, the site of Buddha's first sermon after his enlightenment. We also have lots of free time for shopping and exploring in Varanasi.

DAY 36: Today we will visit Anandamoya Ma's ashram and Trailanga Swami's ashram. After dinner enjoy evening Aarti on the banks of the Ganges.

DAY 37 - Ranchi: Today we will take a train ride to Ranchi and check into our very nice hotel. Evening visit to YSS Ranchi Ashram. Overnight hotel.

DAY 38: Register for Sharad Sangam, the week long YSS Convocation.

Day 39 through 44: Enjoy group energization and meditations. Attend daily classes on Guruji's sacred teachings. Attend the sacred Kriya Ceremony and, if you are eligible, receive Diksha for Kriya II.

DAY 45: Day free to enjoy Ranchi Ashram.

DAY 46 - Delhi: Take afternoon flight to Delhi. Upon arrival the group will be given a day room to clean up and get ready to fly home to the States that evening. After dinner transfer to International Airport. (Optional extra day in Delhi is available but this will be added to tour cost and must be scheduled in advance.)

DAY 38 - USA: Arrive home and begin dreaming and longing for your return to 'Magical India'.

 

 

 

ASHRAN & MORE TOUR: Plains, Convocation & Short Mountains Tour from 2010


DAY 01: Depart USA on carrier of your choice.

DAY 02 - Delhi: Arrival New Delhi and transfer to hotel. Overnight.

Day 03 through Day 26: Join Main Tour. See Plains Portion of Main Tour (above) for day to day itinerary.

Day 27 through Day 31: Visit Corbett Park and the YSS Dwarahat Ashram/Delhi.

DAY 32 - Delhi: Transfer to airport for flight home.

DAY 33: Arrive home in the USA and begin dreaming of your return to India.

 

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